2 Panels Ok University Bill

FLORIDA - The State - In Brief

April 6, 2005

TALLAHASSEE -- A bill that critics of the University of Central Florida's expansion plans say would stifle public input on growth at the school passed committees in the state House and Senate on Tuesday.

Supporters, including Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and UCF alumnus Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, say the measure would bring clarity to the planning process for universities across the state, not just UCF.

Environmentalists fret that the bill, as written, would put stricter restrictions on who could raise objections to growth plans at UCF, which helped draft the measure. The legislation (SB 2614 and HB 517) must pass several more committees before reaching the floor in both chambers.

Environmentalists said Tuesday that they were confident a deal could be reached to put fewer restrictions on public input.